After hearing the replies I think I will just power it on with the front button. Thanks for the replies!

@marco981 With pcsx-rearmed you can press escape and the menu is black with white monowidth font. The lr-pcsx-rearmed is retroarch and has a colored menu gui. I would try installing and trying the other of which you haven't tried. If it is pcsx-rearmed then the controls will still need to be mapped. Navigating the menu to do this I think is possible with the controller but perhaps easier with the keyboard, as well the escape button needs to be pressed. In the controls menu, assign the buttons, if you press left and right on this screen it will show you Keyboard/Joystick/All binds. And don't forget to save the config when you're done. You could also try installing the alternate driver, for sixaxis/playstation. The sixaxis helper driver is newer and allows other controllers to sync and use bluetooth.

@webodan I don't think ES reads the list of Audio cards present in the system - the choices you see now are the default choices. Try using the instruction from the USB Audio FAQ page.

@mitu Just deleting the ps3 drivers was enough to stop the notice and let me exit the menu without disconnecting the dualshock4. Thanks so much!

I found this thread that seems to contain the answer: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/17650/dualshock-controllers-on-4-4-with-3b/35

This is exactly what I was looking for and it worked, thanks a lot!

@blerkotron i have got the same issue with the analog sticks using a Sixaxis Controller. Also works fine with jessie. Something seems to affect the analog Inputs of Sony Controller when using stretch.

@bland328 Actually, in both cases you'd need an external tool. I use xboxdrv, as outlined in the guide I linked to above. Having analog movement available on the stick comes in handy for everything from 'Marble Madness' to 'Spy Hunter'. It's especially nice in 'Centipede', where you're normally all over the place much too quickly with digital controls.

@dankcushions O thanks that's very helpful. I really had my eyes set on the ps1 styled 20th anniversary ds4 controller, but that color layout is only available as a V1..so that could still be an option. (I prefer wired.)

@meleu That's okay! I've had a few issues specific to the DS4. I guess I'll just roll back to my last SD save.

@mosi0815 thanks for the reply I will test that out soon. It makes perfect sense to me sounds simple enough. Is echo 1 to enable and echo 0 off? Nvm ill try it out tomorrow if I can.

If you have a Ps4 controller, you can use that one. If you need to buy one, I recommend a ps3 controller because they are way cheaper and you have the same functionality as the Ps4 controller.

I'm using the build in BT. Maybe the BT "Module" on your pi is faulty. At least it doesn't sound normal that both controllers don't work correctly via BT.

Is there any you'd recommend? Modmypi.com where I usually buy my Pi stuff only seems to have up to 2.5A.